Nomar vs. the OC

Yesterday marked Orlando Cabrera's (the OC) 39th game with the Red Sox this year. That is one more game than the number of games that Nomar Garciaparra played for the Sox in 2004 before getting traded. I thought this was worthy of taking a look at:

Nomar - 38 games / 156 AB / 50 Hits
Cabrera - 39 games / 158 AB / 45 Hits

Nomar - 24 R / 5 HR / 24 RBI / .321 BA / .367 OBP / .500 SLG
Cabrera - 23 R / 4 HR / 21 RBI / .285 BA / .312 OBP / .468 SLG

On offense it basically boils down to Cabrera having 5 fewer hits in two more at bats than what Nomar had this year. Given the fact that Cabrera is universally hailed as a better defensive player who's health is not in question and given the fact that Nomar had become a black cloud lockerroom presence because of his contract situation - I think it is clear that this was an excellent move by the Red Sox.

For more proof just take a look at what Nomar has done since the trade.

Nomar as a Cub:

31 G / 121 AB / 19 R / 4 HR / 16 RBI / .298 BA / .344 OBP / .463 SLG

Cabrera has actually had a slight offensive edge over Nomar since the trade (and his value gets magnified by the fact that he is available to play every day). I haven't even mentioned the fact that the Red Sox also got Doug Mientkiewizc in the trade as well.

Kudos to Theo Epstein.